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There is certain value in all martial arts disciplines and their associated principles. Sometimes, their value just has to be discovered.

Cross training in the arts reveals our strengths and weaknesses. This awareness helps us to become stronger (if we are willing to work hard) in the areas we may never have realised weakness existed unless confronted unexpectedly by it. We have all heard a stand up fighter say that a grappler will never take them down or the grappler say that they will tie up a striker before they can get an effective strike. While this might be possible, and I say ‘possible’, what happens when an assault is unexpected? On the street? Not when in a cage or a ring. Not when the bell rings and there is a allocated time to fight or someone present to refferee. What happens when you find yourself being hit from behind and you end up on the ground? What happens when weapons are involved? Now that’s another story altogether!

I have heard Guro Dan Inosanto (my teacher) say, ‘if you don’t understand what you are being taught then it’s a rock, but if you do, then it’s a diamond’. That’s why I train in and teach multiple arts. To discover the diamonds within them and help others to do the same.

To discover what best works for you as an individual, the only way is to approach training in any martial art is with an open mind. You might be surprised what you learn about both the art and yourself.

I recently came across a quote from an american Police officer and it went something like this, “The offender doesn’t fear the law or the justice system and so you must make them fear you.” Although I can’t recall the exact quote, the clear message of self empowerment through learning to protect yourself resonated with me. What I took from it, is that everyone needs to take responsibility for their own personal safety and the safety of their families. The fact is that our law enforcement officers aren’t generally on the scene until after the crime has taken place. Furthermore, the attacker knows this and generally isn’t thinking clearly or is under the influence and couldn’t care less anyway.

Does’t it make sense to equip yourself with the tools to possibly avert or deal with an assault situation if unfortunate enough to be faced with one?

We fit our homes with alarm systems and add security steel mesh doors and security mesh grills to our windows. Why? Because we want to take every precaution we can to prevent our home from being broken into. And rightly so. But isn’t burglary illegal? Of course, but it happens every day regardless.

Numerous physical and sexual assaults occur every day, so why is it that the same precaution to protect ourselves is so often overlooked? Is it the old ‘It won’t happen to me!’ thought process?

Let’s have a look at the key findings from the ABS.

This release presents information from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2013-14 national Crime Victimisation Survey, which is the sixth in the annual series.

The survey collected data, via personal interview, about people’s experiences of crime victimisation for a selected range of personal and household crimes. The survey also collected data about whether persons experiencing crime reported these incidents to police, selected characteristics of persons experiencing crime, and selected characteristics of the most recent incident they experienced.

At the national level, the results showed that:

Personal crime:

In the 12 months prior to interview in 2013-14, of the 18.5 million persons aged 15 years and over in Australia:

Of the 17.6 million person aged 18 years and over, 48,300 (0.3%) experienced at least one sexual assault.

Australians were more likely to experience face-to-face threatened assault than any of the other selected personal crime types. Physical assault was the second most frequent personal crime type experienced in 2013-14.

These statistics exclude any assaults which occurred during organised sport or in sporting play or incidents of sexual assault or threatened sexual assault that involved physical assault.

Getting back to the quote and particularly the part that says “You must make the offender fear you!” It is our own efforts in taking responsibility and ownership of our personal safety by at least learning some basic self defence skills that may ultimately be the difference between being just another victim or sending a clear message to the offender that “If you think this is going to be easy for you, you are mistaken!”

OK, so the next question is, can three hours of self defence training really help me? Well, I like to put it like this. If you have never used a computer before and decide to take a short general course, you will come away learning how to start and shut down your computer, access the internet, send an email etc. These are the basics that help you to at least now use your computer. This may even now inspire you to further your knowledge and learn new skills that will allow you to use all the advanced features of the computer and what it has to offer. At the very least, you now are able to use your computer and understand the dos and dont’s. It is no different to learning self defence. You will learn learn how to deal with an initial confrontation, how to try and diffuse and if required, how to come out on top. Will you be a proficient fighting machine? Probably not. That would require additional training of course. But at the very least, by taking ownership of your own safety and taking the time to learn some basic self defence that actually works, you will have now given yourself a fighting chance by knowing what and what not to do.

Combat Defence Systems offers not only membership based training but self defence training workshops. If you are interested in giving yourself a fighting chance, email info@combatdefencesystems.com to register your interest in our next self defence training seminar.

Our next up and coming workshop is ESCAPE TO SAFETY – A Women’s self defence workshop. Click on the below link to enrol. Limited spots available. Participating in this workshop could potentially save your life!

The Filipino martial arts are very well rounded and consist of striking, grappling and weapons. The boxing component is widely known as Panantukan. It is often referred to as ‘dirty boxing’ due to its use of groin slaps, head butts, head manipulations, elbows, and limb destructions that are devastatingly effective. Knees are also added to the mix and often aimed at the lower limbs while in boxing range.

In this first video, the jab and cross are dealt with using a couple of basic combinations using female footwork to get to the outside of our opponents strikes thus gaining multiple advantages including; A stronger structure (as opposed to the opponent’s side on structure). More striking opportunities due to the openness of our opponent’s side position. It also makes it harder for the opponent to hit back with speed as they need to turn to face your body position. Of course, we know there are counters to everything and in this case it would be the pivot or zoning away but we will elaborate on that in a later article.

The Panantukan pad drills in this video show a few strikes which can be varied depending on the situation. For example, the cut punch off the jab could be a finger jab to the eyes (JKD style) or the body hook could be a groin slap. The back fist that follows the split entry off the cross could also be a finger thrust to the eyes followed by a hook, cross, hook combination.

Note also that the lead leg in Panantukan changes constantly depending on the situation. To become a more complete martial artist, it is essential that we educate both sides of the body.

In the videos to follow, we will also look at limb destructions and grappling (Dumog) with the addition of knees and how it all fits together to form a formidable street fighting system.

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Kali / Eskrima knife flow drills

Whether it be empty hand or weapons training, techniques are really just a compilation of defences and attacks. While we have to learn ‘techniques’, the real test is when we train them out of movement, flow and unpredictability.

This is where our attributes come in. Speed, timing, line familiarisation, sensitivity, hand/eye co-ordination, reflexes and hand dexterity. To better ourselves as martial artists, development of these attributes is imperative and one of the best ways to develop them is out of flow.

This short video demonstrates the practice of two drills which we use in our JKD and Kali training. Knife tapping and the Palasut drill. These drills not only help improve your weapons skills but will improve your empty hand skills exponentially. Even though the bladed weapons we train with are not sharpened, we always treat them with the same respect as a sharp edged weapon!

After constant training with these methods and when an empty hand strike has to be dealt with instead of an edged or blunt weapon at speed, you cannot deny the benefits of weapons training. To cut to the chase, if you want to improve your empty hand skills, learn how to train with weapons as well!

Martial Arts and what to look for in an instructor

Teaching is as easy or as difficult as the the instructor makes it. This can also mean the difference between good and not so good teaching which will ultimately effect the martial arts experience of the student.

This is where the mindset of the instructor is so important. What is their reason for teaching? Is it just a job? For the lifestyle? Or is it for the preservation of an art, a sharing of knowledge, a passion and uncompromised ambition to better themselves and the students whom they teach? Only the instructors themselves know this. Or do they??

Look and listen closely, as the signs will undoubtedly appear if you are perceptive enough.

Choosing Your Martial Arts Instructor

Knowing a curriculum is one thing, but understanding it is another. Some train hard and study a particular art for years but unfortunately fail to really see the art for what it really is. what I mean by that is this; recognize its weaknesses, recognize its strengths and understand its philosophies. Take from it what works for you and disregard what does not. And most importantly, understand that it will not be the same for everyone!

Furthermore, as an instructor, understand that certain techniques (for want of a better word) that don’t work for you, may work really well for someone else. Know them all and teach them all. The student will discover which ones they excel in over others.

Having said this, there are also some things that just don’t work no matter who you are and should not be taught!

This teaching practice is simply just to fill in class time and keep students amused!

Martial Arts Instructors Constantly Develop and Challenge Themselves

They test, measure and constantly improve and in turn, this ultimately benefits their students.

It would be easy just to teach with the ‘That’s what I was taught and so it must be right!’ attitude. And it may be right. However, after filling one’s cup, one must empty it again and look at it with renewed eyes.

On a personal level as an instructor, I am constantly striving to refine my skills and to chip away at the unessentials as Bruce Lee said. And with new discovery and insight, be a guide to my dedicated students that study the martial arts that I am so passionate about.

Is Your Instructor Passionate About Martial Arts

I am lucky enough to have trained and continue to train under martial arts instructors with this same mindset and am truly grateful for my journey so far. I am truly blessed!

I wish you all the best in your journey.

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Perth martial arts and the Guro Dan Inosanto influence

10 Perth martial arts students studying Muay Thai & Jeet Kune Do Concepts at our club will make the trip to Brisbane in December to take part in a 5 day seminar with world renowned martial artist Guro Dan Inosanto.

Guro Inosanto is a world authority on Jeet Kune Do and the Filipino martial arts and holds rank in numerous systems. His historical knowledge, understanding of the arts and teaching ability are the reasons he is one of the most sought after martial artists in the world today. Constantly on the world seminar circuit, he is one of the foremost reasons that Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do legacy lives on.

As a student and certified instructor under Guro Inosanto, my goal is to continue to preserve, promote and teach the art of Jeet Kune Do to the Perth martial arts community.

Although Perth martial arts training centres are alive and well, it is generally the arts of BBJ, MMA and Muay thai that are the more popular due largely to the success of the UFC. What a lot of people don’t realise is that Jeet Kune Do (aka JKD) was the first MMA. A mixed martial art for real world self defence. Guro Inosanto was Bruce Lee’s close friend and training partner during the formative years of this martial art system and philosophy.

Through Combat Defence Systems, Perth martial arts students are now fortunate to have a local club to train these concepts and it is very exciting for myself as a teacher to see them embrace the added opportunity to travel and train with the legend that is Guro Dan Inosanto!!

COMBAT – a fight, struggle, or controversy, between two persons, teams or ideas.

DEFENCE – the act of defending someone or something against attack or injury.

SYSTEMS – a procedure or process for obtaining an objective.

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MMA for the street – JKD

It might surprise a few people that MMA is nothing new. In fact it can be argued that the MMA marketed so well and popularised by the UFC is not even a true ‘Mixed Martial Art’ in totality at all.

Think about it. The two main disciplines which are cross trained in MMA are Muay thai and BJJ right?

This is not a criticism. In fact, the reason that these are the two main arts used in the ‘Sport’ of MMA is for good reason. The reason is that Muay Thai has arguably the best stand up game and BJJ has arguably the best ground game. And as the rules allow for the use of both, then it makes sense to train in the best arts for those particular skills. Would you agree?

MMA for Sport?

Well, if you are training MMA for sport, you are on the money! But if it is self defence skills on the street you are looking to achieve, I am suggesting that you may need something a little more.

When I mentioned that MMA is nothing new, that is exactly what I meant. In the 60’s, Bruce Lee opened both eyes and minds when he founded his own personal fighting system and philosophy which he called Jeet Kune Do aka JKD. He studied and researched a myriad of martial arts (no less than 26 actually) after his realisation that no one art had all the answers to all ranges of combat. A realisation that would change the martial arts world forever and pave the way for martial artists to discover their own truth.

So now lets go back a little to the bit about the two best arts cross trained in MMA. Being a sport, there are of course rules. Rules to keep the game fair and to also maintain a reasonable level of safety for the competitors. MMA rules for example; no head butting, no eye gouging, no finger jabbing, no biting, no striking to the knees, throat or groin, and definitely NO weapons. More than reasonable rules in a sport right?

On the street it’s different! Very different! No rules, no referee, no fair play! That’s the reality.

That’s where you might want to train in a system that is all encompassing, one that cuts to the chase.

MMA for the street – JKD

Check in soon for my follow up posts on what makes the original MMA (JKD) so effective.

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Kids Martial Arts Video

For the very first time Perth, Jeet Kune Do classes are being taught to children by certified JKD instructors. This kids martial arts video we’ve produced showcases some of the skills which can be of huge benefit to kids.

Our Junior Jeet Kune Do program will build courage, confidence, self-esteem, strength, discipline, commitment, control, passion and drive in children by empowering them with essential life skills. Physical attributes such as fitness, flexibility, agility, co-ordination and core strength will all be developed while learning this dynamic self defence based martial art. This kids martial arts program is designed to develop both body and mind.

Kids Martial Arts – About Junior Jeet Kune Do (JKD)

The Junior JKD curriculum is self defence focused and is a modified version of our adults JKD curriculum. Students learn how to deal with a wide range of situations including aggressive behaviour, bullying and random assault. Punching, kicking, trapping, grappling and joint locking are taught along with how and when to use these skills and the appropriate level of force to use, given the situation. Read the full press release hereKids Martial Arts Perth Press Release here

Get Your Children involved and see the benefits in their lives today! Enroll here

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Kids Martial Arts Perth

Another press release, this time on our newly started Jeet Kune Do Kids Martial Arts Perth classes.

This is the very first time in Perth that Jeet Kune Do is being taught to children!

This article outlines the huge benefits to be gained by kids while training in the martial arts and explains the difference in our Junior Jeet Kune Do Kids Martial Arts curriculum and the adult curriculum.

It also explains the importance of learning from certified instructors. At Combat Defence Systems, we are certified to teach this art by the Inosanto International martial arts instructors association.

MARTIAL ARTS – A WAY OF LIFE

It sounds sort of strange doesn’t it that martial arts can be a way of life in this day and age?

Well, in decades gone by in some countries, martial arts were exactly that. Take for example the Shoalin Monks in China, where the martial arts were practiced on a daily basis and incorporated into their spirituality to develop both a strong body and mind. It was introduced as a way of physical exercise to strengthen the body to help them to meditate for longer periods without fatigue. Bandits were also an ongoing problem in those days, as were the dangers of traveling and so training in the martial arts had the added benefit of defending oneself efficiently if needed.

Some countries were in constant conflict with others and so trained in the martial arts to be able to defend their land, their families and their loved ones. So out of love, to protect and keep their loved ones safe, they would dedicate themselves to hours of training to perfect their skills.

So how can the martial arts fit into our way of life now?

The principles and philosophies of the martial arts go hand in hand with my personal belief system and moral position. Most would agree that good morals and ethics should be possessed by all and no less in a martial artist. Good character is extremely important in a martial artist as he or she is entrusted with specialised skills that could potentially determine the outcome of a violent assault situation. It is expected that the martial artist use good moral judgment if this situation should ever arise. Some of the attributes which the martial arts promote serve as a constant reminder to us in our training as we interact with training partners from all walks of life. Our martial arts training help us to integrate these character attributes in our everyday lives as we strive to improve ourselves as both martial artists and as people. It presents us with an opportunity to express ourselves and improve our quality of life through physical activity. Furthermore, the martial arts help to develop mental strength and teach us the skills to protect ourselves and the ones that we love. The character attributes that the martial arts teach and promote can be used in all aspects of our everyday life to benefit not only ourselves but the wider community.

Seven attributes which martial arts training help to develop are:

RESPECT

DISCIPLINE

COMMITMENT

FOCUS

CONFIDENCE

SELF-ESTEEM

SELF-CONTROL

I’m sure you would agree that all of these attributes would be a huge benefit in our everyday way of life!

Why not make martial arts part of your life?

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Testimonials

This is one of the few academy’s in the world that teach authentic JKD concepts and our instructors are certified by Guru Dan Inosanto. We are privileged to have this opportunity available to us in Western Australia. CDS is free of egos and full of great people. In my opinion, you will not find a better place to train.

Greg Morris

"I first tried Combat Defence Systems as something new after two years of repetitive gym workouts. I have found the content of the classes vary often, keeping the training both interesting and challenging. Everyone is helpful and friendly. I feel I am much fitter and more able to defend myself after just a few months. I would recommend Combat Defence Systems to anyone looking for something new to achieve their fitness goals and to learn how to defend themselves"

Rebecca French

I’ve always loved martial arts, growing up on a diet of Bruce Lee films. After turning 40 I decided it was time to start and chose Combat Defence Systems. For a complete beginner, Sifu Gino is patient, totally professional and never makes me feel like I’ve asked a stupid question! I leave every session feeling inspired and looking forward to the next one. The discipline and confidence I’ve gained since I began has been life-changing.